08/15/2026
During my mother's childhood, indoor plumbing and electricity were nonexistent.
She often recounted her experiences living in an old, dilapidated farmhouse that was infested with mice and spiders. I, too, resided in that farmhouse for seven years, enduring its dusty environment and a kitchen floor that was caving in. Despite these conditions, we managed to live there. My mother, along with her siblings, reminisced about the times they had to rely on candles for light and how the chimneys in the house functioned. The structure was essentially designed around a central chimney, with each room built around it, featuring a fireplace or shaft opening in several rooms.
Although oil heating was later installed, the house remained cold throughout the winter, spring and fall. Nighttime temperatures were quite chilly. I recall waking up in the morning and feeling as though I was stepping onto ice when I placed my foot on the floor.
I have seen photographs of the main street in town after electricity was introduced, marked by a single wire that ran along the street and eventually connected to others. This advancement allowed for the installation of telephones, which was a significant milestone for the community. Not everyone had a radio. My grandfather purchased a victrola in 1911, a fact I know because he affixed the warranty to its bottom, which remained there when it was passed down to me. I took the initiative to refinish some of its wood and clean it to ensure it functioned properly. Unfortunately, like many of my other possessions, it was “lifted” by relatives.
Throughout my grandparents' lifetimes, they witnessed remarkable technological advancements: the airplane, electricity, telephones, radio, and eventually, television. The older generation often spoke of the awe they felt in 1928 when Charles Lindbergh made his historic nonstop flight across the Atlantic to Paris, a feat i’d likened to an astronaut landing on Mars!
Today, we have large flat-screen televisions with vibrant, sharp images, as well as the internet, computers, and cell phones that serve multiple functions, including communication, photography, and file storage. We carry devices in our hands that perform functions that would have seemed unimaginable to previous generations. While I view video games as largely unnecessary, their evolution has led to some that closely resemble reality and are quite complex. We have embraced online banking and a plethora of online services, and we are on the cusp of a future where cars can drive themselves. Numerous entrepreneurs and companies are developing personal aircraft that resemble large drones, allowing individuals to take to the skies.
I have read predictions suggesting that life expectancy in the near future could reach 100 years or even 115, a significant increase compared to the average lifespan of 42 years in the late 1800s. This observation is informed by my childhood visits to old cemeteries, where I developed a fascination with history. Many gravestones revealed stories of individuals who passed away in their 40s, with few reaching their 70s.
The Bible states that knowledge will increase in the end times, a phenomenon we are witnessing today with the rapid advancement of technology. This is another prophecy that about the times that is being fulfilled before us.
Younger generations are increasingly disinterested in traditional movie theaters, preferring to watch films on their screens or iPads. They also tend to avoid shopping in physical stores, opting instead to order goods online for home delivery. I predict that over the next 20 years, we may see a decline in both amateur and professional sports in America, as people choose to remain at home, influenced not only by technology but also by underlying fears—an issue deserving of further exploration. In spite of the advancement and technology mankind will be more fearful. He will begin to regress. The anti-prophecies aren’t folding before us.
